MUMBAI, July 15 -- Amid speculations over a tie-up between Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), which intensified when the Thackeray cousins participated in a joint rally on July 5, MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Monday underlined that the rally "was limited for the issue of Marathi language and was not political". Raj added that any "decision of forging a political alliance would be taken when the civic elections are announced". This was concurred by his cousin, Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray. The Thackerays called attention to a possible reunification when they held the rally in Worli to celebrate the government withdrawing its decision to make the study of Marathi as third language in primary schools mandatory if students do not opt for any other language. The rally also led to excitement among the rank and file of both the parties as soon as Uddhav announced that they had "come together to stay together in future". Following the event, while Sena (UBT) leaders have been candid about the tie-up, Raj instructed his leaders to exercise restraint, leading to speculations of his indecisiveness for the polls. Speaking to journalists informally taking a break from a workshop with his leaders on Monday, Raj said: "Let elections be declared; we will then take a call (on the alliance) depending on the existing political situation." In a similar vein, Uddhav Thackeray also said his party would adopt a wait-and-watch stance. "The MNS chief has directed party leaders not to speak about the alliance. Let polls be announced, only then a decision will be taken," Uddhav told the media, outside the Vidhan Bhavan, on Monday. Uddhav's stand on Monday was contrary to that of the party the previous day, as expressed in Saamana. In an editorial, Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut had called the reconciliation "a need of the hour" to protect Maharashtra's interests. "The very idea of Uddhav and Raj joining hands has rattled the ruling parties," wrote Raut in his latest column in the party mouthpiece. "Leaders in Delhi and Maharashtra are trembling. They know their politics will collapse like a house of cards if the brothers unite - especially Eknath Shinde."...